Meghan Markle has spoken of her "great love story" with Prince Harry for the first time, confirming: "We're a couple. We're in love."

The American actress, who has been dating the Prince since summer 2016, said they were treasuring "our time", before sharing details of their relationship with the watching world.

Calling him her "boyfriend" publicly for the first time, she said: "We’re two people who are really happy and in love.”

The interview, with Vanity Fair magazine, is understood to have been conducted with the blessing of Prince Harry, with Kensington Palace aware that it would be coming out.

The full interview with Meghan Markle appears in the October issue of Vanity Fair, on sale from Friday September 8Credit:
Vanity Fair

It has already inspired speculation of an imminent engagement, with her interview interpreted by Royal watchers as a significant step in making their relationship public and official.

Prince Harry, as fifth-in-line to the throne, must ask the Queen's permission before marriage.

The magazine interview sees Markle confirm she met Prince Harry through friends in London in July 2016 and dated quietly for months without the public becoming aware of their romance.

“I was working during that whole time, and the only thing that changed was people’s perception,” said the actress, who stars in US Netflix drama Suits.

Prince Harry

"We’re a couple. We’re in love."

Of maintaining their privacy, she added: "I’m sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people will understand is that this is our time.

"This is for us. It’s part of what makes it so special, that it’s just ours.